Dynamo-electric starting, lighting, and ignition mechanism for automobiles



J. A. HILIANY.

DYNAMO ELECTRIC STARTING, LIGHTING, AND IGNITION MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES. APPLICATION FILED NOV-3.191]- 1,3Q8 873 o Patenmd Ta 11 2? I920. s SHEETS-SHEET I.

514 00, Z Jo/m A//e/1 f/ea J. A. HEANY. ammo ELECTRIC smnme, uemme, AND IGIHTION MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION HLEDNOV. 3.1917. l ggg g'yg Patenmd Jan. 27, 1920,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I. A. HEANY. DYNAMO ELECTRIC STARTING, LIGHTING, AND IGNITION MECHANISM FOR AUTO MOBILES. APPLICATION FILED NOV- 3. I917.

1,s2s,smu Patented. Jan. 2?, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

2i I I 27 I 'I '3 I G .1 I, N fig 40 15/4 14 UNITED s'rA'rns PATEN JOHN ALLEN HEANY, 0F JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BN MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF DELAVTARE.

DYNAMO-ELECTRIC STARTING, LIGHTING, AND IGNITION MECHANISM FOR AUTO- I MOBILES Original application filed August 1,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 2'7, 1920.

1910, Serial No. 574,774. Divided and this application filed November,

3, 1917. Serial No. 200,092.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN ALLEN HnANr, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements 1n Dynamo-Electric Starting, Lighting, and Ignition Mechanism for Automobiles, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, whereby any one skilled in the art may make and use-the same.

This invention relates to means for translating electrical energy into motive power for starting an engine and means for translating the motive power of the engine into electrical energy for'the starting mechanism and the lighting and ignition system .to be used in conjunction with an automobile. This application is a division of m copending application, Serial No. 574,774, filed August 1st, 1910.

In the utilization of electrical devices for starting and generating purposes in connectibn 'w1th"automobiles,'it is essentially desirable that all unnecessary parts he eliminated; and that parts capable of use in more than one relation should preferably be employed. It is further highly desirable that when necessary, the whole effective power of the system may be employed.

The principal object, therefore, of my in vention is to provide electrical mechanism, including a plurality of dynamo-electric machines, all of which may be utilized for the purpose of starting the engine; and a part of which may be employed for generating electrical energy for the lighting, charging and ignition system.

A further object is to accomplish the aforesaid object and at the same time maintain the necessary electrical and mechanical efliciency of the system.

Further objects, and objects relating to economies of manufacture and details of construction, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices described in the following specification; my invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the appended claims.

A structure constituting a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, formmg a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I illustrates my invention embodied in an automobile, the storage battery not being shown. I

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the differentially wound dynamotor.

Fig. III illustrates a form of clutch which may be used to connect the motor shaft to the dynamotor shaft.

Fig. IV and Fig. V illustrate various ways of connecting the dynamo electric machines with their circuits;

In the drawings, similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

As illustrated in the drawings, the engine 1 is shown as mounted upon the chassis frame 2, and provided with cylinders, 3, 4, 5 and 6, which receive their fuel supply in any well-known manner as through the manifold 7 and carbureter 8, the fuel being suppliedfrom the main tank 9 through a connecting tube 10.

The engine shaft 11 is shown as projecting forward and terminating in a starting crank 12, which, of course, may be used for initially starting the engine to charge the battery hereinafter described.

Upon the shaft of the engine is a gear 13 meshing with an intermediate gear 14, which in turn is in mesh with the generator gear 15, these gears being so arranged as to drive the motor dynamo 16, as the engine shaft is rotated.

On the rear face of the gear 14, is shown a worm gear 17, in mesh with a worm 18, upon the worm or secondary shaft 19. This worm shaft 19 has a direct connection with the shaft 20 of the motor 21 throughthe one-way clutch device 22. Any known form of one-way clutch may be utilized, the form here shown in Fig. IV being the friction ball'over-running clutch.

The function of the clutch 20 is to provide a connection between the generator shaft 17 and the motor shaft 1.8 which will transmit torque from the motor to the englne and will not transmit torque from the en ine to the motor.

denotes a storage battery which,

' engine,

through a. switch 23 connects said battery to the ignition line circuits and motor dynamo line circuit 25, which latter is controlled by switch. blades 38, 39, so that the motor andmotor dynamo circuits 2'? and 28 may be bothconnected at the same time to the battery A load circuit, shown herein as the lighting circuit 32 iscontrolled by a switch 33.

Any desired form of ignition may beeinployed, as for instance, the induction coil, high tension or low tension types in commen use, A diagrannnatic showing of the ignition system is illustrated in Fig. EV, where the make and break 1') is connected in the circuit 24 to the coil C and thence to a distributor E, the stationary contacts of which are connected to the insulated termirials of the spark plugs of the engine cylinders through circuit wires 34:, 35, 36 and 3?.

In operation the switch 23 is closed, connecting the line 25 and the ignition line 24. Thereupon, the switch 26 is thrown to connect the terminals 2-9 and so with the motor line 2'? and generator line 28. llhe motor and motor dynamo then start up under full battery voltage; the motor dynamo adding its torque to that of'the motor, and transmit the initial motive impulse to the As soon as the engine has been start-ed and the worm shaft speed excmds that of the motor 21, the clutch device 22 will slip and torque will not be transmitted to the motor shaft from the engine. The switch 26 is then thrown so as to disconnect the motor 21, the motor dynamo 16 acting as a generator, remaining in closed connection' with the storage battery so that the battery B is recharged.

The motor dynamo 16 is preferably a machine adapted to give a practically constant voltage when connected with the battery, throughout the varying speeds characteristic of the internal combustion engine, The particular type of motor dynamo here employed is shown in Fig, lill as a differentially wound compound machine, the reversed series windingr' compensating for variation of voltage due to speed variations, when charging, and adding, its flux to that of the shunt field winding when operating as a motor in starting, according to the characteristics of a cumulatively compounded machine.

It is preferred to use, a series-wound motor 21, with a low resistance winding, which is adapted to give a large starting torque with high wattage, and as it is geared to the engine shaft through a reducing speedgear train, it will readily give, in conjunction with the motor dynamo, the initial movement to said shaft for securing the compression and firing of the cylinders to start the engine. When the motor 21 is 24 and to a motor neaaera thus driving, the clutch device 22, illustrated more in detail in Fig. Ill, will connect the motor shaft for positively driving the train of gears.

In Fig. IV is shown a modified form of switch connection intermediate the motor 21, the motor dynamo l6 and the battery B, whereby the motor and dynamotor may be connected independently or simultaneously with the storage battery by means of the switches 38 and 39 constantly in closed position employing the motor switch 38 and ignition switch 23 only. T his form of connection is further exemplified in Fig. V where the generator switch is dispensed with,'a permanent connection being made between circuits 25 and 28.

In Fig, V a modified disposition of the electrical units is disclosed in which the motor shaft 20 and dynamotor shaft 40 are axially disposed with reference to each other, an operative interconnection being maintained between the two shafts in a one- Way clutch d1. -'ll1is particular arrangement permits of the employment of a single gear train 13, 14, and 15 between the elcctrical motive axis and the engine crank shaft; it further lends itself to the attainment of great economy in space, a feature very desirable in automobile construction.

ltis, of course, apparent that the switch devices might be automatically controlled from the motor and motor dynamo shafts so that the switching of the battery circuit from the motor to the motor dynamo circuit could Similarly, the details of connections intermediate the motor dynamo, the motor and the engine shaft as well as those of the c0ntrolling switches or devices may be varied to suit the exigencies of any particular case, it being; most desirable to provide connections which will give a. proper ratio for starting the engine from the motor and a suitable ratio between the engine and the motor dynamo shaft with manually operated or automatically operated switching devices for, giving; the proper circuit connectioris between said devices and the source of power.

I am aware that this particular embodiment of my invention is susceptible of considerable variations without departing from the spirit of my invention, and, therefore, I desire to claim the same broadly, as well as specifically, as indicated by the appended claims.

Having thus described my what 1 claim as new and by Letter Patent, is:

1. The combination with an engine, of a starting and generating system therefor, comprising a storage battery; a motor dynamo normally functioning as a generator to.

invention, desire to secure be accomplished automatically neaae'ze charge said battery, and having constant operative connection with the engine; a motor independent of the dynamotor, and adaptedin conjunction with the motor dynamo operating as a motor to start the engine;

electric machines operatively connected with the engine; circuits and switches connecting the storage battery with the dynamoelectric machines, allot said dynamo-electric machines being effective to start the engine, and a portion of said dynamo-electric machines being adapted to generate current for charging said storage battery, lighting and ignition purposes when the engine is operating under its own power.

3. The combination with an engine, of a starting, lighting and ignition system therefor, comprising a storage battery; electrical transmitting devices, including a motor and motor dynamo, operatively connected to the engine; ing the storage battery with the electrical devices, the motor being rendered inoperative, and the motor dynamo functioning as a generator to charge said battery, when the engine starts up under its own power.

4. The combination with an engine having ignition means including a timer and distributer, of an electrical system therefor, comprising a storage battery; a motor dynamo normally functioning as a generator to charge said battery and having constant operative connection with the engine; a motor, adapted in conjunction with the motor dynamo to start the engine; means connecting the motor and engine operative for transmittingtorque in a direction only from the motor to the engine; and circuits and switches for connecting the battery to the motor, motor dynamo, and ignition means.

5. The combination with a variable speed .engine, of a starting, lighting and ignition comprising a storage battery; a motor dynamo, normally functioning as an approximately constant voltage generator w en connected to said storage battery to charge the same and having permanent operative connection with the engine; a motor, independent of the motor dynamo, and'adapted in conjunction with the motor dynamo to start the engine; means connecting the motor and engine operative for transmitting torque in a direction from the motor to the engine only; lighting and system therefor,

ignition means adapted to receive constant and circuits and switches connect.

independent of the motor dynamo and.

pressure current from the motor dynamo when functioning as a generator; and circuits and switches for connecting the battery to the motor and motor dynamo.

6. The combination with a variable speed engine, of a starting and generating system therefor, comprising a storage battery; a motor dynamo normally functioning as a generator when connected to the storage battery to charge the same; a motor inclependent of the motor dynamo; gearing between the motor and engine; gearing between the motor dynamo and engine; .the gearing between the motor and the engine giving a between the motor dynamo and the engine; both said motor and motor dynamo operatgreater leverage than the gearing ing as amotor being adapted fo cranking 7. T he combination with a variable speed engine, of a starting and generating system therefor, comprising a storage battery; a motor dynamo normally functionin as a generator to charge said battery, and having constant operative connection with the engine; a motor independent of the motor dynamo and adapted to function concurrently with the motor dynamo operating as a motor to start the engine through said generator connections; means connecting the motor and engine operative for transmitting "torque from the motor to the engine only; and circuits and switches for connecting the battery to the motor and motor dynamo,

8. The combination with a variable speed engine, of a starting and generating system therefor, comprising a storage battery; a motor dynamo normally functioning as a generator to charge said battery; a motor independent of the motor dynamo; driving connections intermediate the motor dynamo and engine and the motor and engine, said connections being in part common, said motor and motor dynamo operating as a motor being adapted to exert torque conjointly through the connections to start the engine; means intermediate the motor and motor dynamo for transmitting torque operative in a direction from the motor to the engine, and inoperative in a direction from the engine to the motor; and circuits and switches for connecting the battery to the motor and motor dynamo.

9. The combination with an internal combustion engine, of a starting and generating system therefor, comprising a storage battery;a motor dynamo capable of functioning either as a generator to charge said battery or as a motor and having an operative iii) connection with the engine; a motor independent of the motor dynamo and having an operative connection with the engine; a circuit including the battery; and means for permitting concurrent connectin of both the motor and the motor dynamo in the battery circuit at the same time.

10. The combination With an internal combustion engine; of a starting, and generating system therefor comprising a storage battery; a motor dynamo capable of functioning either as a generator to charge said battery or as a motor and having an operative connection with the engine; a motor inde pendent of the motor dynamo and having an operative connection with the engine; a circuit including the battery; and means for permitting the connection of the motor dynamo in the battery circuit or the connection of both the motor and motor dynamo in the battery circuit.

11. The combination With an internal combustion engine, of a starting and generating system therefor, comprisin a storage battery; a motor dynamo capable of functioning either as a motor or a generator for charging said battery and having a permanent driving connection with the engine;

a motor independent of the motor dynamo and having a driving connection With the naaasre engine transmitting torque only in the direction from the motor to the engine; a circuit including the battery; and means for permitting the connection of the motor dynamo in the battery circuit or the connection of both the motor and motor dynamo in the battery circuit 12. The combination with an internal combustion engine, of a storage battery; a starting motor; a motor dynamo normally functioning as a generator for charging said battery; a driving connection between the motor dynamo and the engine; a driving connection between the motor and the engine; circuits and switches connecting the battery with the motor and motor dynamo;

andmeans permitting the functioning of the motor dynamo as a motor to assist the starting motor during the starting operation.

13. The method of operating a combination comprising an internal combustion engine. a storage battery and a plurality of dynamo electric machines, which comprises concurrently supplying energy from thebattery to operate all of said machines as motors to exert starting torque on the engine and then operating less than all of said machines as generators to charge the battery.

Inwitness whereof I affix my signature.

JOHN ALLEN HEANY. 

